Image capture apparatus

ABSTRACT

An image capture apparatus is placed on a desk, etc., and an object to be captured is presented above the apparatus. An illumination device can emit light of a plurality of wavelengths, and a camera captures an image of an object to be captured using different wavelengths. By processing an image using different wavelengths, the material of the object to be captured can be obtained. The captured image is compared with a recorded image stored in the image capture apparatus, etc., and used in image determination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for capturing anobject using a plurality of wavelengths without contact.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004]FIG. 1 shows the difference in reflectance of light depending onthe type of substance. The reflection of light depends on the specificproperty of a substance to which the light is applied. FIG. 1 shows anexample. In FIG. 1, each portion of a substance A and a substance B ispicked up to show the properties to light. The horizontal axis indicatesthe wavelength of light applied to a target object. The vertical axisindicates the reflectance of light when the light is applied to eachsubstance. The substances A and B are different in reflectance propertyto the wavelength of light. Therefore, for example, the wavelengths ofA, B, C, and D shown in FIG. 1 are selected, and the values of thereflectances are compared, thereby determining the substances A and B.

[0005] An invention for determining a substance without contact has beendisclosed by the patent document 1, etc. In this technology, lighthaving a wavelength easily absorbed by water content or light having awavelength hardly absorbed by water content is applied from a lightsource, and captured by a camera, thereby determining the water content.

[0006] A conventional image capture apparatus for reading a slip, etc.without contact is disclosed by the patent documents 2, 3, etc.

[0007]FIG. 2 shows the outline of a conventional image captureapparatus.

[0008] First, a base 10 on which a document 13 to be read is set ismounted. The base 10 is provided with a column 11, a column 11 ismounted at the upper portion of the column 11. The column 11 contains aread device. An image captured by the read device is transmitted to a PC14, etc., and a process of reading a slip, a check, etc. is performed.

[0009] [Patent Document 1]

[0010] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 9-61351

[0011] [Patent Document 2]

[0012] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.2002-342752

[0013] [Patent Document 3]

[0014] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.2000-148887

[0015] A conventional image capture apparatus which processes aplurality of wavelengths has the structure of fixing a target object andcapturing an image of the target object. However, there is the problemthat the entire apparatus is large because it requires a base, etc. inthe above-mentioned structure, and is hard to operate it. Additionally,since an image is captured after setting a target object on the base, ittakes a long time to capture an image, and is not suitable for use inwhich a quick shooting is requested.

[0016] Furthermore, since a conventional read device for reading a slip,etc. also has a structure in which a document is fixed on a base, etc.as in the case above, it also has the same problem. There is anotherproblem with the device that it has no unit for determining whether ornot a slip, etc. being read has been authenticated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention aims at providing an image captureapparatus capable of quickly capturing a target object and determiningwhether or not the target object is an authenticated document, etc.

[0018] The image capture apparatus according to the present inventionincludes a camera for capturing image data of an object to be captured,illumination for illuminating the object to be captured using aplurality of wavelengths, a storage unit for storing a recorded image ofan object to be captured, a comparison-determination unit for comparingthe recorded image with the obtained image data of the object to becaptured and determining whether or not the image and the data matcheach other, and a material determination unit for determining thematerial of the object to be captured from the image of the object to becaptured which has been obtained using the plurality of wavelengths.With the configuration, the image data can be obtained by holding theobject up above the camera and the illumination

[0019] According to the present invention, an object is captured byholding the object up above the camera. Therefore, the object to becaptured can be quickly captured. Additionally, since an image isobtained by illuminating an object to be captured using a plurality ofwavelengths, the material of the object to be captured can be known fromthe brightness. Thus, it is possible to determine whether the object tobe captured is an expected and correct object to be captured or a wrongobject. By providing a unit for comparing an image with a recordedimage, a determination can be made whether the object to be captured isa correct object to be captured or a wrong object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 shows the difference in reflectance of light depending onthe difference in substance;

[0021]FIG. 2 shows the outline of a conventional non-contact imagecapture apparatus;

[0022]FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the appearance of the imagecapture apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a falsification avoidingcapability using a material determining capability based on anembodiment of the present invention;

[0024]FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory views showing two methods ofcapturing an image having a plurality of wavelengths;

[0025]FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the problem with the case inwhich different wavelengths of light are applied to an object to becaptured;

[0026]FIGS. 7A through 7C are explanatory views showing the reason fordifferent illumination intensity depending on the wavelength;

[0027]FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the method of correcting thedifference in brightness by a wavelength using a brightness correctiontable;

[0028]FIG. 9 is an explanatory view (1) of the configuration fordetermination of a material;

[0029]FIG. 10 is an explanatory view (2) of the configuration fordetermination of a material;

[0030]FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a method of storing data ofan image obtained by applying different wavelengths;

[0031]FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a method of correcting thebrightness using a standard reflecting object;

[0032]FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of a method of correcting thedisplacement of an object to be captured;

[0033]FIG. 14 shows the relationship of the capture order and the memoryarea between image data for matching and image data for determination ofmaterial;

[0034]FIG. 15 shows the first example of the configuration according toan embodiment of the present invention;

[0035]FIG. 16 shows the appearance of the first example of theconfiguration;

[0036]FIG. 17 is a chart of the process contents performed by a materialdetermining process unit;

[0037]FIG. 18 shows an example of the information stored in a materialdetermination result holding unit;

[0038]FIGS. 19A and 19B show examples of the data structure of abrightness correction table;

[0039]FIG. 20 shows the second example of the configuration of the imagecapture apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040]FIG. 21 shows the appearance of the second example of theconfiguration;

[0041]FIG. 22 shows the third example of the configuration of the imagecapture apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042]FIG. 23 shows the appearance of the third example of theconfiguration;

[0043]FIG. 24 shows the fourth example of the configuration of the imagecapture apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;and

[0044]FIG. 25 shows the appearance of the fourth example of theconfiguration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] The image capture apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention is characterized by the capability of determining thematerial of a target object by checking the unique wavelengthcharacteristic after capturing an image using (1) an image matchingcapability and (2) a plurality of wavelengths. By using theabove-mentioned capabilities, the apparatus can be used as a checkreading device and a counterfeit bill determination device having afalsification avoiding capability based on the determination of thematerial of an object.

[0046]FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the image capture apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] An image capture apparatus for capturing an image of an objectusing a plurality of wavelengths is mounted, and a method of capturing atarget object by holding the object up above the image capture apparatusis used. With the configuration, it is not necessary to provide a base,etc. for holding the target object, thereby realizing a small andlightweight apparatus. Furthermore, since an image can be captured onlyby holding an object to be captured up above the apparatus, the imagecan be quickly captured and determined (for authentication of a slip,etc.).

[0048]FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a falsification avoidingcapability using a material determining capability according to anembodiment of the present invention.

[0049] In the case A shown in FIG. 4, the wavelength characteristic ofthe entire target object can be determined. In the case B, the materialis determined by attaching a material known to the wavelengthcharacteristic at a portion of a target object to be determined. Thus,the falsification can be avoided.

[0050] To determine the material of an object to be captured from theimage of a plurality of wavelengths, the image capture apparatusaccording to the present invention is provided with a materialdetermination unit.

[0051]FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory views showing two methods ofcapturing an image of a plurality of wavelengths.

[0052]FIG. 5A shows the configuration of providing illumination foremitting light having different wavelengths. The configuration is simpleand inexpensive. Especially, using inexpensive LEDs as illuminationdevices, the total cost can be reduced.

[0053] However, in FIG. 5A, since an image is captured by holding anobject to be captured up above the apparatus, the target object can bemoved while the wavelengths of the illuminating light are switched.Therefore, the problem of the displacement of a plurality of wavelengthsoccurs among resultant images.

[0054]FIG. 5B shows the configuration of capturing the reflected lighthaving a specific filter when an image is captured by a camera usingillumination emitting light having continuous wavelengths. Since thisconfiguration requires a filter for the camera, the structure iscomplicated and costly. However, since images of a plurality ofdifferent wavelengths can be simultaneously captured in FIG. 5B, thereis the merit of solving the problem that a target object is moved whileswitching the illumination wavelengths (as a result, no displacementsoccur among images of a plurality of wavelengths).

[0055] Which configuration shown in FIG. 5A or configuration shown inFIG. 5B is better, depends on the price and the expected travelingvelocity of a target object. Therefore, the optimum method is selecteddepending on the actual application scene.

[0056] The image capture apparatus according to the present inventionalso comprises a determination target object information holding unitfor holding the information about an object to be captured. Thedetermination target object information holding unit holds, for example,the information about an object to be captured such as a bill, a check,etc. Practically, it holds (1) an image of an object to be captured, and(2) wavelength characteristic information for determination of amaterial of an object.

[0057] When the present invention is used as a device for reading a billand a check, a determination is made as to what the object beingcaptured is and whether or not it has been authenticated by two methodsof (1) comparing a recorded image with an image being captured, andcomparing the material of the recorded object with the material of theobject being captured. The determination target object informationholding unit holds the information for the comparison.

[0058] The image capture apparatus according to the present inventionalso comprises a matching process unit. The matching process unitcompares the marks and numbers on a bill, the signature to a check, etc.so that it can be determined whether or not the image being captured hasbeen recorded or authenticated.

[0059] For example, by comparing the marks and numbers, the type of billcan be determined. Furthermore, a signature to a check is recorded inadvance so that it can be compared with the signature of the user forauthentication.

[0060] Refer to the following document for details of the matchingprocess.

[0061] “Image Analysis Handbook” p707˜p746

[0062] Tokyo University Publisher

[0063] ISBN 4-13-061107-0

[0064] Jan. 17, 1991 published as First Edition

[0065] With the above-mentioned configuration, the type of bill can beread only by holding the bill up above the image capture apparatus, andthe apparatus can also function as an apparatus for determining acounterfeit bill, and an apparatus for authentication of a check.

[0066]FIG. 6 shows the problem of the case in which light of differentwavelengths are emitted to an object to be captured.

[0067] In the embodiment of the present invention, the material isdetermined according to the characteristic of the reflectance of acaptured object when illumination wavelengths are switched. However, theintensity of the light emitted by an illumination device is distributeddepending on the wavelength such as a wavelength λ1, a wavelength λ2,etc. Especially, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the tendency is apparent when aplurality of illumination devices for emitting different wavelengths aremounted to switch wavelengths. As a result, the illumination intensityis different between the wavelength λ1 and the wavelength λ2 in the sameposition (point P (x, y) shown in FIG. 6). In this situation, thematerial cannot be determined based on the wavelength characteristic.

[0068]FIGS. 7A through 7C show the reason for different illuminationintensity depending on the wavelength.

[0069] Described below is one of the reasons for different illuminationintensity depending on the wavelength, That is, when a plurality ofwavelengths are switched by an illumination device as shown in FIG. 5A,illumination devices such as LEDs, etc. having different wavelengths areprovided. Since the installation position and the installation directionare displaced, there occurs the problem that the illumination intensityof a wavelength depends on the position of the captured object (FIG.7B).

[0070] A method for solving the above-mentioned problem is to provide aplurality of light-emitting devices for one lens. An LED comprises alens portion and a light-emitting device portion as shown in FIG. 7A. Asshown in FIG. 7C, the difference in illumination intensity betweenwavelengths from a different installation position and a differentinstallation direction can be suppressed by inserting a light-emittingdevice corresponding to two or more wavelengths in one lens.

[0071] Another reason for different illumination intensity depending onthe wavelength can be a different electro-energy conversion efficiency,area of a light-emitting device, and refractive index depending on thewavelength, etc. Therefore, it is hard to completely reduce thedifference in illumination intensity among a plurality of wavelengths.As a result, the brightness is corrected after a camera performs acapturing operation.

[0072]FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a method of correcting thedifference in brightness depending on the wavelength using a brightnesscorrection table.

[0073] At each measurement point, the illumination intensity of eachwavelength is measured in advance, and is recorded in a brightnesscorrection table. When an object is practically captured, the brightnessis corrected based on the brightness correction table. Thus, theinfluence of the difference in illumination intensity betweenwavelengths is reduced, and the material of the object can be correctlydetermined.

[0074] Since the illumination intensity distribution changes dependingon the distance from the illumination, a brightness correction table canbe provided for a predetermined distance. The distance for a brightnesscorrection table in response to the currently input image is determinedusing a distance sensor or based on the distance from the result ofmatching with the recorded image.

[0075] The image capture apparatus according to the present inventioncan comprise a distance sensor for measuring the distance to an object.Based on the output of the distance sensor, the optimum brightnesscorrection table is selected to correct the brightness, therebycorrectly determining the material of the object.

[0076] Furthermore, using the distance sensor, it is determined whetheror not there is an object to be captured. When there is no object to becaptured, the illumination is turned off and the operation of capturingan image can be stopped, thus considerably saving the electric power andprocessor power.

[0077]FIGS. 9 and 10 show the configuration of determining the materialof an object.

[0078] The image capture apparatus according to the present inventiondetermines the material of an object using an image of a plurality ofwavelengths. At this time, it is not necessary to perform the materialdetermining process on the entire screen.

[0079] For example, by performing the determining process on a smallarea which reflects a captured object and is extracted from the capturearea as shown in FIG. 9, the total arithmetic can be reduced.Furthermore, the material of an object can also be determined byappropriately thinning the pixels in the small area. For example, bydetermining the material with the pixels thinned at every second pixel,the total arithmetic can be reduced to a quarter.

[0080] The material determination area holding unit holds theinformation about which pixel in which area is used in determining thematerial of a target object.

[0081] The material determination result holding unit also holds therecord of determining the material by the material determination unit.When an image matching result is output but the material determinationresult is different from the recorded material, there can be illegalaction such as falsification. If the material determination result whichis different from the recorded material of the captured object is outputover a predetermined number of times, a process of, for example, givinga warning is performed.

[0082] A wavelength of a plurality of wavelengths emitted from theillumination device is selected as the optimum wavelength for thematching with the recorded image in the determination target objectinformation. For example, the pattern of a bill, the signature to acheck, etc. are printed or written using ink which can be seen in avisible light area. One of the plurality of wavelengths used indetermining the material of an object is processed in a visible lightarea, and the material is determined with the wavelength combined withthe other wavelengths, thereby reducing the number of wavelengths usedin the illumination, also reducing the requirements of the buffer andthe number of parts of the illumination device, and finally reducing thetotal cost.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 10, the image capture apparatus can be providedwith a monitoring capability of displaying an image being captured, amaterial determination area, etc. The monitoring capability allows theuse to check whether or not the material determination area is correctlyaligned on the object when the user holds the object to be captured upabove the apparatus.

[0084]FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a method of storing data ofan image obtained by emitting different wavelengths.

[0085] The illumination can be synchronized with the camera so that thecapturing process can be performed using a different wavelength for eachcapture field of the camera.

[0086] When the camera captures an image, the operation can be performon every second row as shown in FIG. 11 (interlace system). Aneven-numbered row and an odd-numbered row is respectively referred to asan even field and an odd field.

[0087] For example, it is assumed that a target object is captured using2 wavelengths of λ1 and λ2. First, the target object illuminated usingthe wavelength λ1. The camera records an image of the wavelength λ1.Upon completion of the capturing operation for the odd fields, theillumination is switched to λ2, and the image is recorded to the evenfields. Thus, the image is stored using two wavelengths on one screen,thereby reducing the requirements of the buffer. This operation can berealized because the entire image is not required, but only a part ofthe information is required in determining the material of an object,and the entire image of the object to be captured is not stored for thedetermination of the material.

[0088] According to the embodiment of the present invention, an image iscaptured using a wavelength for material determination and using awavelength for image matching. At this time, using the wavelength formaterial determination, the information about the entire screen area isnot required. Therefore, an image is first captured using a wavelengthfor material determination, and the image is finally captured using awavelength for image matching, thereby efficiently using the buffer.

[0089] To determine the material of the target object using a pluralityof wavelengths, the illumination intensity of the plurality ofwavelengths has to be constant. Therefore, a brightness correction tableis provided to correct the difference in illumination intensity. Thebrightness correction table is set at shipment. As described below, abrightness correction table can be newly generated or updated using aninput image.

[0090] Described below is the method of newly generating a brightnesscorrection table using an input image. First, in the initial state, thebrightness correction table is initialized to 0. At this time, since thebrightness cannot be corrected, the material cannot be determined.

[0091] When an object is presented above the image capture apparatus, amatching process is performed between the recorded image of the objectto be determined and the input image without determining the material.As a result, if the similarity between the input image and the object tobe determined is higher than a predetermined threshold, then there isthe possibility that the input image is a predetermined object to bedetermined (it is assumed that there is small possibility that anillegally generated object is first presented). Therefore, a brightnesscorrection table is generated such that the brightness of the currentinput image can match the wavelength characteristic of the predeterminedobject to be determined. After the brightness correction table isgenerated, the brightness is corrected and the material is determinedbased on the table. It is also possible to update the brightnesscorrection table using the input image in the similar method.

[0092] Using the image capture apparatus of the present invention, a newbrightness correction table can be generated or updated according to theinformation recorded when an object to be determined is entered.

[0093] When a brightness correction table is newly generated accordingto the information recorded when an object to be determined is entered,the following process is performed. First, the brightness correctiontable is initialized to 0 in the initial state. At this time, since thebrightness cannot be corrected, the material is not determined.

[0094] Then, an image of the object to be determined is recorded in thedetermination target object information holding unit. Since thedetermination target object information indicates a known object such asa bill, a check, etc., the wavelength characteristic is also known. Whenthe known object is stored in the determination target objectinformation holding unit, a brightness correction table is alsogenerated. Practically, a brightness correction table is generated suchthat the currently recorded object to be determined can be a knownwavelength characteristic. After the brightness correction table isgenerated, the brightness is corrected and the material is determinedaccording to the table.

[0095] A brightness correction table can also be updated according tothe determination target object information in the similar method.

[0096]FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a method of correcting thebrightness using a standard reflecting object.

[0097] The image capture apparatus according to the embodiment of thepresent invention can be configured such that it can be provided with astandard reflecting object whose wavelength characteristic is known tocorrect the brightness between wavelengths, and an image can be capturedin the capture area.

[0098] For example, the configuration is prepared as shown in FIG. 12. Astandard reflecting object whose wavelength characteristic is known isset above the camera. When an object to be captured is presented abovethe apparatus, an image is captured with the standard reflecting objectpartly overlapping the object to be captured. Then, the camera cansimultaneously capture the object to be captured and the standardreflecting object. Since the wavelength characteristic of the standardreflecting object is known, the image capture apparatus can correct thebrightness of the image of a plurality of wavelengths used in thecapturing process based on the brightness of the standard reflectingobject.

[0099] As another configuration of the image capture apparatus of thepresent invention, the object to be captured can include a standardreflecting object whose wavelength characteristic is known. For example,when a bill, etc. is presented above the apparatus, a user wears a wristband into which a standard reflecting object is incorporated. Otherwise,a standard reflecting object is embedded in the holder of a bill.

[0100]FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a method for solving theproblem of the displacement of an object to be captured.

[0101] As described above, when the image capture apparatus isconfigured as shown in FIG. 5A, the wavelengths of the light emittedfrom the illumination device are switched. Therefore, a time lag occursin the capturing operation. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the positionof the target object can be displaced while an image is captured usingeach wavelength.

[0102] To correct the displacement between the images, an image matchingis performed while converting images by a parallel displacement, arotation, etc. so that the acceptable match result can be obtainedbetween the images. After the positioning, the wavelength characteristicis checked and the material is determined.

[0103] The image capture apparatus can also be provided with a networkcommunications capability. With the network capability, the cooperationwith other image capture apparatuses, a remote operation, and a remotemonitor can be realized.

[0104] With the network communications capability, determination targetobject information can be recorded in one image capture apparatus, andthe record can be entered in all other image capture apparatuses.

[0105] When the information about the determination target objectinformation is updated over a network, the determination target objectinformation is encrypted and transmitted, and received and decryptedbefore entry to prevent an illegal entry or the leak of the information.

[0106] The apparatus can also be provided with the function oftransmitting a message to another image capture apparatus over anetwork. For example, if the use of a counterfeit bill is detected as aresult of determining the material of an object, then the information istransmitted to another image capture apparatus, and a message “tosuspend the use of the corresponding bill” can be transmitted.

[0107] The apparatus can also comprise an external storage medium accessunit for reading data from an external storage medium such as an ICcard, etc. By recording the determination target object informationusing the external storage medium, a new object to be determined can beeasily recorded. For example, when the apparatus is used as acounterfeit bill determination device, a new type of bill, etc. can bequickly detected.

[0108] In addition to the camera for capturing a target object, anothercamera for capturing an image of the environment can be provided tostore the images at predetermined time intervals. Thus, when acounterfeit bill, check, etc. is detected, a person who has used it canbe captured. The captured image is distributed over a network to preventthe repeated illegal use by the same person. With the configurationaccording to the embodiment of the present invention, the processes of(1) matching images between a captured object and determination targetobject information recorded in advance, and (2) determining the materialof an object can be performed. Therefore, the determination as towhether or not the bill, the check, etc. has been authenticated can bechecked from the two aspects, that is, an image matching process, and amaterial determining process. As a result, a more correct determinationcan be made.

[0109] According to the embodiment of the present invention, abrightness correction table is prepared so that an object to be captured(bill, check, etc.) can be captured and the material of the object canbe determined with the object presented above the apparatus withoutsetting the object to be captured on the base, etc. As a result, sinceno base, etc. is required to place a target object on, the apparatus canbe compact and lightweight. Furthermore, since a target object is onlyto be presented above the image capture apparatus, the image of theobject can be quickly captured, and it is an effective device for use ina shop when reading a bill and a check.

[0110] The difference in illumination intensity between wavelengthsdepending on the installation position and installation direction of anillumination device can be removed by providing a plurality oflight-emitting devices in a lens of one illumination device such as anLED, etc. As a result, the material of an object can be more correctlydetermined.

[0111] The image capture apparatus according to the embodiment of thepresent invention comprises a brightness correction table for use incorrecting the difference in illumination intensity depending on thedistance from and the position of a camera. Since the material can bedetermined based on the difference in reflectance between wavelengths,the determination cannot be correctly made if the illumination intensitydepends on the distance or position. On the other hand, the imagecapture apparatus according to the embodiment of the present inventionhas a brightness correction table to correctly determine the material ofan object by correcting the brightness.

[0112] Since the distribution of the illumination intensity depends onthe distance from illumination, the brightness correction table isprovided for each distance. As a result, the material of an object canbe more correctly determined by providing a distance sensor formeasuring the distance to a target object, selecting the optimumbrightness correction table based on the output of the distance sensor,and then correcting the brightness.

[0113] Furthermore, it is determined using a distance sensor whether ornot there is an object to be captured. Therefore, if there is no objectto be captured, the illumination can be turned off or the imagecapturing operation can be stopped, thereby saving electric power andprocessor power.

[0114] When the material of an object is determined based on thewavelength characteristic, the same result can be obtained on the samematerial when a determination is made in any area. Therefore, it is notnecessary to determine the material on the entire captured screen basedon the wavelength characteristic. Thus, the material determination areaholding unit holds the information about which area and which pixel areused in determining the material of the target object, thereby reducingthe total arithmetic much more than in the material determinationperformed on the entire screen.

[0115] The material determination result holding unit holds the recordof the material determination performed by the material determinationunit. When the determination result states, “The material of thecaptured object is different from the recorded material”, there is thepossibility that illegal action has been taken. Therefore, the materialdetermination result holding unit stores a determination resultdepending on which a warning can be given.

[0116] One wavelength of a plurality of wavelengths emitted by anillumination device for material determination can be selected as theoptimum wavelength for matching with a recorded image of an object to bedetermined. As a result, the number of wavelengths for materialdetermination can be reduced with the precision of the image matchingmaintained. Therefore, the requirements of the buffer in the apparatus,the number of parts of the illumination device, etc. can be reduced, andthe total cost can be reduced.

[0117] The apparatus has a monitoring capability of displaying an imagebeing captured, a material determination area, etc. With the monitoringcapability, the user who holds an object to be captured up above theapparatus can check without fail whether or not the image is beingcorrectly captured, the material determination area correctly overlapsthe object, etc.

[0118] By capturing an image using different wavelengths in even fieldsand odd fields of a camera image, the intervals of the time taken tocapture images using two wavelengths can be shorter than by capturing animage using a wavelength in one frame. As a result, the displacementbetween the positions of the captured object between the images usingtwo wavelengths can be smaller. Therefore, the material of the objectcan be more correctly determined.

[0119] A capturing operation is performed for material determination,necessary information only is saved, and then a capturing operation isperformed for matching. Thus, the operations can be performed usingsmaller memory.

[0120]FIG. 14 shows the relationship of the capture order and the memoryarea between image data for matching and image data for materialdetermination. As shown at the upper portion in FIG. 14, when thecapturing operation is performed first for material determination, theimage data captured using the first wavelength is stored in the memorywhich is an image buffer. Then, the image data other than the datarequired for material determination is discarded or saved for othermemory. Next, when an object to be captured is taken using the secondwavelength and the image data is stored in the image buffer, the imagedata captured using the two wavelengths is stored in one image buffer.Since the captured object using the second wavelength is an image forimage matching, it is assumed that the entire image data is required. Onthe other hand, in the case shown in the lower portion in FIG. 14, whenthe image for image matching is captured using the first wavelength andthen the image for material determination is captured using the secondwavelength, the former image data required the entire image data and isto be completely stored in the image buffer. Furthermore, if the imagedata for material determination is obtained using the second wavelengthand is to be stored in the image buffer, then the data cannot becompletely stored in the image buffer. To extract the image data of theportion only required for material determination from the image data formaterial determination, it is necessary to temporarily store the entireimage data. Therefore, if the image data for image matching is firstcaptured, the excess buffer capacity is required.

[0121] A brightness correction table can be predetermined at theshipment from the factory. However, if the table is updated based on aninput image, it is not necessary to ensure the correctness of thebrightness correction table at the shipment of the factory, therebyreducing the production cost.

[0122] Furthermore, in the image capture apparatus according to theembodiment of the present invention, the brightness correction tableusing an input image can be updated at predetermined time intervals.Thus, the influence of the change with time (attenuation of illuminationintensity with time) of an illumination device can be reduced, and theprecision of material determination can be maintained at a high level.

[0123] By providing a standard reflecting object constantly in a capturearea, a brightness correction table can be constantly updated using thestandard reflecting object. Therefore, the material of an object can bemore correctly determined.

[0124] The displacement of the position of an object to be capturedbetween images can be corrected by positioning the image using aplurality of wavelengths through image matching.

[0125] By providing a network communications capability, the imagecapture apparatus according to the present invention can cooperate withanother image capture apparatus, and perform a remote operation andmonitoring. For example, by remotely monitoring the image captureapparatus and entering determination target object information in oneimage capture apparatus, the entry can be made in all other imagecapture apparatuses.

[0126] By encrypting and transmitting determination target objectinformation, and receiving and decrypting the information, the leak ofthe information about the determination target object information, andillegal use of the information can be avoided.

[0127] Furthermore, if the use of a counterfeit bill has been detectedas a material determination result by providing the function oftransmitting a message to other apparatuses over a network, then theinformation can be announced to other image capture apparatuses, and amessage such as “Stop using the corresponding bill” can be transmitted.

[0128] Determination target object information can be quickly updated byrecording and updating the determination target object information fromthe external storage medium such as an IC card, etc. For example, when abill is checked, and when a type of bill not recorded in advance is tobe determined, the information is recorded using an IC card, etc.,thereby quickly using the bill.

[0129] A camera for capturing the environment of the apparatus isprovided in addition to the camera for capturing an object to bedetermined, and captures an image at predetermined time intervals. Thus,when an illegal bill, check, etc. is detected by the materialdetermination, the person who has used it can be captured. Additionally,the image can be distributed over a network so that the same illegalaction by the same person can be avoided.

[0130] Described below is an example of a configuration of an embodimentof the present invention. In the example of the configuration, a readdevice for reading a check is exemplified.

[0131]FIG. 15 shows the first example of the configuration according tothe embodiment of the present invention. The example of theconfiguration shows the operation of a simple image capture apparatus.FIG. 16 shows the appearance of the first example of the configuration.In FIG. 16, the image capture apparatus comprises a camera, anillumination device, a distance sensor, and an external monitor. When anobject to be captured is presented above the image capture apparatus,the image can be captured.

[0132] A general control unit 20 issues an appropriate instruction toeach of the units such as an illumination device 22, a camera 23, amatching process unit 26, a determination target object informationholding unit 25, etc., and controls the entire apparatus.

[0133] A distance sensor 21 is a device for measuring the distance to atarget object. For example, it emits infrared, captures the reflectedlight, and measures the distance.

[0134] The illumination device 22 emits light to an object to becaptured, and is used in capturing an image for a matching process, andobtaining a wavelength characteristic for material determination.

[0135] With the configuration shown in FIG. 5A, a practical illuminationdevice can be provided with LEDs having different peak wavelengths, andalso can use LEDs having a plurality of light-emitting devices havingdifferent peak wavelengths enclosed in one lens.

[0136] With the configuration shown in FIG. 5B, the illumination device22 emits light having continuous wavelengths. Practically, a halogenlamp, a xenon ark lamp, etc. are used.

[0137] Light of a plurality of wavelengths is used in materialdetermination, and one of the plurality of wavelengths is commonly usedfor image matching. Thus, the number of wavelengths used in materialdetermination can be decreased by 1, thereby reducing the entire cost.Furthermore, since the number of times the camera captures an image canalso be decreased, the response time can be improved.

[0138] The camera 23 captures an image of a target object of pluralityof wavelengths. Practically, the pickup devices such as CMOS, CCD, etc.can be used. With the configuration shown in FIG. 5B, a filter and apickup device corresponding to the wavelengths for materialdetermination are provided for a camera.

[0139] An image buffer 24 is an area for holding an image captured by acamera. The image captured by a camera using a plurality of wavelengthsis first stored in the image buffer 24. Then, after correcting thebrightness using a brightness correction unit 30, it is used in theimage matching by the matching process unit 26 and the determination ofwavelength characteristic by a material determination unit 27.

[0140] When an image is captured for matching and materialdetermination, images for material determination are first captured, andafter saving the necessary number of images, images for matching arecaptured. Thus, an image buffer can be effectively used.

[0141] The determination target object information holding unit 25stores information about an object which is used in an image matchingprocess or whose material is to be determined. For example, when theimage capture apparatus of the present invention is used as a device foridentifying a check, a signature is compared with determination targetobject information to determine the authentication of the check.

[0142] To use the apparatus as a counterfeit bill determination device,the design of a bill is recorded. By performing a matching process, itis determined whether or not the bill being captured has been recordedin advance. If the bill being captured matches the bill recorded inadvance, then the type of the bill can be determined. By updating thedetermination target object information, the bill of each type can beidentified.

[0143] The determination target object information holding unit 25 holdsthe following practical information.

[0144] (1) Image for matching

[0145] (2) Wavelength characteristic for material determination

[0146] Furthermore, the apparatus can be configured to add theinformation about a determination target area.

[0147] With the configuration of the present invention, an image of thesignature to a check is used as a matching image. Furthermore, acounterfeit check can be detected by embedding a material whosewavelength characteristic is known into a part of a check, andperforming material determination.

[0148] The matching process unit 26 compares an image captured by thecamera 23 with the recorded image stored in the determination targetobject information holding unit 25, and determines whether or not theimages match each other. Thus, although an image is deformed when it ispresented above the apparatus, a matching process can be correctlyperformed by image conversion with the object translated or rotated.

[0149] Furthermore, a matching result of the matching process unit canbe used to correct the displacement between plurality of wavelengths.

[0150] The material determination unit 27 determines the material of thecaptured object according to the brightness information about an imagecaptured using a plurality of wavelengths.

[0151]FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the process performed by the materialdetermining process unit. An image of each wavelength is assumed to havebeen corrected in advance by the brightness correction unit. That is, ifthe shapes of the curves of the wavelength characteristic are the samebut only the brightness is different between the recorded informationand the captured image, then the brightness of the captured image iscorrected by the brightness correction unit so that the difference fromthe wavelength characteristic of the recorded image can be very small.

[0152] In FIG. 17, in step S10, the wavelength characteristic differenceΔ between the recorded information and the captured image is initializedto 0. In step S11, the pixel number for use in determination isinitialized to 1. In step S12, the n-th coordinates (x, y) is obtainedfrom the material determination area holding unit 29. In step S13, thenumber m of the wavelength for use in material determination isinitialized to 1. In step S14, the difference in wavelengthcharacteristic between the captured image having the wavelength λm andthe recorded information is calculated, and the result is added to Δ.Practically, when the brightness of the point (x, y) in the input imagehaving the wavelength m is defined as Pm (x, y), and the reflectance ofthe wavelength m of the recorded object as R (m), the calculation ismade by the following equation.

Δ=Δ+|Pm(x,y)−R(m)|

[0153] In step S15, m is increased by 1. In step S16, it is determinedwhether or not the process has been performed on all wavelengths. If thedetermination result in step S16 is NO, then control is returned to stepS14. If the determination result in step S16 is YES, then n is increasedby 1 in step S17, and it is determined in step S18 whether or not theprocess has been performed on all coordinates. If the determinationresult in step S18 is NO, then control is returned to step S12. If thedetermination result in step S18 is YES, then the process terminates.

[0154] The material determination area holding unit 29 holds the area inthe capture screen for use by the material determination unit 27performing the material determination. Practically, the determinationtarget area is stored in the method in which (1) the position of thepoint to be determined is sequentially stored, or (2) the coordinates ofthe center of the determination target area and the length of the sideof a determination target area are stored.

[0155] When it is determined by the material determination unit 27 thatan input image is different in material from a recorded target object, amaterial determination result holding unit 28 records the informationbecause there can be the possibility of illegal use. The materialdetermination result holding unit 28 holds the information shown in FIG.18.

[0156]FIG. 18 shows an example of the information held by the materialdetermination result holding unit.

[0157] No. indicates a serial number of non-matching material detectedby the image capture apparatus. The time indicates the time point atwhich a non-matching material is detected. ID indicates a numberuniquely identifying a target object for which a non-matching materialis detected. For example, the check of Mr. A is assigned an ID=1058. Ifthe ID is obtained, it is clear which check falls into a non-matchingmaterial. If a non-matching result is continuously output with the sameID, then there is the strong possibility of illegal action, and awarning message is displayed on the external monitor device. Althoughthe information held by the material determination result holding unit28 is stored only when a non-matching material is detected, theinformation about the case in which a matching material is detected canalso be stored as a normal operation log.

[0158] The brightness correction unit 30 and a brightness correctiontable 31 correct the difference in illumination intensity among aplurality of wavelengths. Practically, the brightness correction tablehas a data structure as shown in FIG. 19A.

[0159]FIGS. 19A and 19B show examples of the data structures of thebrightness correction table. The brightness correction table 31 containsthe data as shown in FIG. 19A at intervals for each distance of 5 cm, 6cm, . . . from the camera to the target object. The relative distance Lfrom the center indicates the distance from the center of the screenexpressed by the ratio to the length of a capture area as shown in FIG.19B. Since the illumination intensity changes in circle shape, the samecorrection coefficient can be used for the same relative distance fromthe center.

[0160] The brightness correction unit 30 measures the distance to atarget object according to the output of the distance sensor 21, andselects the appropriate brightness correction table 31 based on themeasurement result. If there is no brightness correction tableindicating the matching distance to the target object, the brightnesscorrection table 31 indicating the distance similar to the distance tothe target object is selected. Otherwise, two tables indicating similardistances are selected, and the brightness correction table 31 can beobtained for the distance from the linear interpolation based on theselected tables.

[0161] In the image capture apparatus according to the embodiment of thepresent invention, the brightness correction table 31 is generated usingan input image as described below.

[0162] First, in the initial state, the brightness correction table isinitialized to 0. First, when an object is presented above the imagecapture apparatus, the material is not determined, but the matchingprocess is performed using a recorded image. As a result, if thesimilarity between the input image and the image of an object to bedetermined is higher than a predetermined threshold, then it isdetermined that the input image is an object to be determined. Thesimilarity can be obtained by adding up the differences between an inputimage and recorded information about an object to be determined for eachpixel. The brightness correction table 31 is generated such that thebrightness of the current input image can match the wavelengthcharacteristic of the wavelength characteristic of an already knownobject to be determined.

[0163] Practically, the following process is performed. That is, assumethat the brightness of the point (x, y) of the input image when theillumination wavelength is λm is Pm (x, y). On the other hand, assumethat the reflectance of the object to be determined is R(m). Then, thebrightness correction coefficient for the point (x, y) can be expressedas follows.

brightness correction coefficient=R(m)/Pm(x, y)

[0164] The brightness correction table is periodically updated using aninput image. It is updated as described above only if an input image isrecognized as an already recorded object to be determined as a result ofthe matching process between the input image and the recorded image andthe material determination result. By periodically updating thebrightness correction table, the influence of a change in illuminationintensity with time can be successfully removed.

[0165] The brightness correction unit 30 retrieves from the image buffer24 an image captured using each wavelength. Using the correctioncoefficient corresponding to the relative distance from the center ofthe screen, the brightness of the image is corrected. Practically, thefollowing calculation is performed.

brightness of corrected point (x, y)=brightness of point (x, y) beforecorrection×correction coefficient (x, y)

[0166] An external storage medium access unit 32 performs a process ofreading data from and writing data to an external storage medium such asan IC card, etc. Since determination target object information recordedin the image capture apparatus can be read from and written to anexternal storage medium, it is not necessary to perform the recordingprocess on all image capture apparatuses when a new object to bedetermined is recorded in a plurality of image capture apparatuses, butafter the recording process is performed on one image capture apparatus,the same contents can be recorded in other image capture apparatusesusing the external storage medium.

[0167] An external monitor device 33 has the function of displaying animage currently being executed and a material determination area. Anexample of the external monitor device 33 is shown in FIG. 10.

[0168] By providing the externally monitoring capability, a user canhold an object to be captured above the image capture apparatus whilechecking that the target object is being correctly captured.

[0169]FIG. 20 shows the second example of the image capture apparatusaccording to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 shows anappearance of the second example of the configuration.

[0170] In the second example of the configuration, an external processorsuch as a personal computer, etc. is connected to the image captureapparatus. In FIG. 20, the same components shown in FIG. 15 are assignedthe same reference numerals, and the explanation is omitted here.

[0171] In FIG. 21, the image capture apparatus is provided with acamera, an illumination device, and a distance sensor, and is connectedto a PC which is an external processor. The object to be captured isarranged to be presented above the image capture apparatus, andcaptured.

[0172] In the second example of the configuration shown in FIG. 20, thematching process on an image is performed by the external processor 51,and the material determination is performed by an image captureapparatus 50. Since the image matching is a heavy process, it isperformed by an external processor 51, and the material determinationprocess which is a light process is performed by the image captureapparatus 50, thereby distributing the load of the processes.

[0173] In the second example of the configuration, the matching processand the material determining process is separately performed. Therefore,the determination target object information holding unit is divided intotwo units. (Refer to 44 and 48 shown in FIG. 20.) A determination targetobject information holding unit 44 holds a recorded image for performinga matching process. On the other hand, a determination target objectinformation holding unit 48 holds wavelength characteristic informationfor use in the material determining process.

[0174] The brightness correction table 31 is generated according to thefirst recorded determination target object information. First, in theinitial state, a brightness correction table is initialized to 0.

[0175] When the determination target object information is firstrecorded, the brightness correction table is generated such that thebrightness of the recorded image can match the wavelength characteristicspecific to the object to be determined.

[0176] Assume that the brightness of the point (x, y) of the recordedimage when the wavelength of illumination is λm is Pm(x,y). On the otherhand, assume that the reflectance of the object to be determined isR(m). The brightness correction coefficient for the point (x, y) can beexpressed as follows.

brightness correction coefficient=R(m)/Pm(x, y)

[0177] Furthermore, when the object to be determined is recorded, thebrightness correction table 31 is periodically updated using a methodsimilar to the above-mentioned method. By periodically updating thebrightness correction table 31, the influence of a change inillumination intensity with time can be removed.

[0178] The communications unit 47 allows the image capture apparatus 50to communicate data with a communications unit 46 of an externalprocessor 51 through a transmission line. An illumination-camerasynchronizing circuit 40 synchronizes the capturing operation of thecamera with the switching operation of the wavelength of theillumination in capturing an image in the interlace system, and is usedto fetch image data obtained using two wavelengths to one piece of imagedata.

[0179] To allow the external processor 51 to perform a heavy matchingprocess, the external processor 51 is provided with a matching processunit 45 in addition to the determination target object informationholding unit 44. Furthermore, to store the image data transmitted fromthe image capture apparatus 50, an image buffer 43 is also provided.Using an external monitor device 42, the user can check whether or notan object to be captured has been correctly arranged. A general controlunit 41 of the external processor 51 controls each unit of the externalprocessor 51.

[0180]FIG. 22 shows the third embodiment of the configuration of theimage capture apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0181] In the third example of the configuration, an external processorsuch as a personal computer, etc. is connected to the image captureapparatus. FIG. 23 shows the appearance of the apparatus according tothe third example of the configuration. In the third example of theconfiguration, a new standard reflecting object is provided as shown inFIG. 23. In FIG. 22, the same components also shown in FIGS. 15 and 20are assigned the same reference numerals, and the explanation is omittedhere.

[0182] In the third example of the configuration shown in FIG. 22, animage matching process and a material determining process are performedby an external processor. Therefore, the determination target objectinformation holding unit 25, the matching process unit 45, the materialdetermination unit 27, the material determination result holding unit28, the material determination area holding unit 29, the brightnesscorrection unit 30, and the brightness correction table 31 are providedin the external processor 51. Since important processes are performed bythe external processor, the entire cost of the image capture apparatuscan be successfully reduced.

[0183] Data is transmitted from the image capture apparatus 50 to theexternal processor 51 as follows. First, an entire image for imagematching is transmitted to the external processor 51. On the other hand,for an image for material determination, only the image information inthe material determination area of the material determination areaholding unit 29 is transmitted to the external processor 51. Thus, theamount of information about the communications between the image captureapparatus 50 and the external processor 51 can be reduced, therebyimproving the response time. Therefore, the material determination areaholding unit 29 is provided for both the image capture apparatus 50 andthe external processor 51.

[0184] According to the third example of the configuration, a standardreflecting object is prepared for correcting the brightness of aplurality of wavelengths for material determination as shown in FIG. 23.An external processor which receives an image of each wavelength fromthe image capture apparatus 50 corrects the brightness of an image ofeach wavelength using the brightness of the standard reflecting object.

[0185] Since the standard reflecting object is not provided in front ofthe capture area, the brightness of the entire capture area can becorrected as follows.

[0186] First, assume that the distribution of the illumination intensityin the capture area is known. For example, the portion on which theillumination concentrates is the brightest. The farther from theportion, the lower the illumination intensity. The reduction of theillumination intensity is linearly approximated. Assume that thebrightness of the standard reflecting object at the distance of X fromthe center of the capture area is P. Then, the approximation P(x) of thebrightness when the standard reflecting object is positioned at thedistance of x from the center of the capture area is expressed asfollows.

P(x)=P+(X−x)×α

[0187] where α is a constant indicating the amount of reduction of thebrightness proportional to the distance from the center. α is measuredin advance. By applying the equation above to each point on the screen,an approximation of the brightness of the standard reflecting object inthe entire capture area can be obtained. As a result, the difference inbrightness between wavelengths can be corrected by measuring thewavelength characteristic of the standard reflecting object in advance.

[0188]FIG. 24 shows the fourth example of the configuration of the imagecapture apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 25 shows the appearance of the fourth embodiment of theconfiguration. In FIG. 25, the image capture apparatus is provided witha distance sensor, an illumination device, a camera, a peripheral imagecapture camera, and an external monitor device. The image captureapparatus is connected to a network. In FIG. 24, the components alsoshown in FIG. 15 are assigned the same reference numerals and theexplanation is omitted here.

[0189] In the fourth example of the configuration, a single imagecapture apparatus is operated, and a network capability is prepared.Furthermore, a peripheral image capture camera 60 for monitoring theimage around the image capture apparatus is mounted.

[0190] The fourth example of the configuration includes a networkcommunications unit 62. By having a network communications capability,the status of the image capture apparatus can be remotely monitored, andby recording determination target object information in one imagecapture apparatus, it can be recorded in all other image captureapparatuses.

[0191] To avoid illegal action over a network, a network communicationsunit according to the embodiment of the present invention is loaded withan encrypting capability.

[0192] Furthermore, the present invention has the function oftransmitting a message to other image capture apparatuses over anetwork, and when the use of a counterfeit check is detected, theinformation can be transmitted as a warning message to other imagecapture apparatuses.

[0193] In the fourth example of the configuration, the image captureapparatus is provided with the peripheral image capture camera 60 forcapturing an image around the apparatus, and an image is captured atpredetermined time intervals. The peripheral image capture camera 60 isa wide-angle camera, and can capture a picture of a wide range. Theimage data captured by the peripheral image capture camera 60 is storedin a peripheral image capture camera buffer 61.

[0194] By the peripheral image capture camera monitoring an image aroundit, a person who uses a counterfeit check can be captured when he or sheuses it.

[0195] The non-contact image capture apparatus according to the presentinvention can capture a target object using a plurality of wavelengths.At this time, the displacement between a plurality of wavelengths andthe difference in illumination intensity can be corrected. Therefore,the material can be determined from the wavelength characteristic. Theimage matching process capability can be prepared. As a result, it canbe used as a read device having the function of detecting a counterfeitbill and a counterfeit check.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image capture apparatus, comprising: a camerafor capturing image data of an object to be captured; an illuminationilluminating the object to be captured using a plurality of wavelengths;a storage unit storing a recorded image of an object to be captured; acomparison-determination unit comparing the recorded image with obtainedimage data of the object to be captured and determining whether or notthe image and the data match each other; and a material determinationunit determining the material of the object to be captured from theimage of the object to be captured which has been obtained using theplurality of wavelengths, wherein said image data can be obtained byplacing the object to be captured above the camera and the illumination.2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said illumination has aplurality of light sources having intensity peaks of differentwavelengths, switches these light sources, and obtains an image of theobject to be captured using the plurality of wavelengths.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said illumination has a lightsource emitting light of a continuous range of wavelengths, and when thecamera captures an image, an image of a specific wavelength is obtainedusing a filter.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a brightness correction unit correcting a difference inbrightness of illumination of light between different wavelengths on theobject to be captured.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, whereinsaid brightness correction unit comprises a brightness correction tablestoring a correction coefficient for correction of brightness.
 6. Theapparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a distance sensormeasuring a distance to the object to be captured, wherein saidbrightness correction unit comprises a brightness correction tablestoring a correction coefficient for correction of brightness for eachdistance to the object to be captured.
 7. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein material determination is performed on the object to becaptured using a part of an image of the object to be captured.
 8. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein as a result of the materialdetermination, information about a capturing operation in which adifferent material is detected is stored when the material of the objectto be captured is determined to be different from a predeterminedmaterial.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an imageobtained using one wavelength emitted by the illumination is comparedwith the recorded image.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a monitor unit indicating to a user a state in which theobject to be captured is held.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein image data are obtained using different wavelengths between aneven-numbered row and an odd-numbered row of a scanning line of an imageobtained by said camera.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: an image buffer storing an obtained image, wherein imagedata is obtained first for material determination, image data onlyrequired for the material determination is stored, image data forcomparison with the recorded image is obtained, and image data isobtained in a reverse order, thereby setting memory requirements for animage buffer smaller than an amount of data which can be stored in theimage buffer.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a brightness correction unit having a brightness correctiontable storing a correction coefficient for correction of brightness tocorrect a difference in brightness of light between differentwavelengths emitted to the object to be captured.
 14. The apparatusaccording to claim 13, wherein said brightness correction table isgenerated by comparing data obtained when said image capture apparatusperforms a first operation with recorded data using the obtained datawhen similarity is within a predetermined range.
 15. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein a standard reflecting object is capturedtogether with the object to be captured to correct a difference inbrightness of the object to be captured and illuminated by light havingdifferent wavelengths.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a network communications function.
 17. The apparatusaccording to claim 16, wherein The recorded image and wavelengthcharacteristic of the recorded image are recorded in the apparatusconnected over a network, or the recorded image and the wavelengthcharacteristic of the recorded image are updated at an instruction fromthe apparatus.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein innetwork communications, encrypted data are communicated.
 19. Theapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an external storagemedium access unit reading data from an external storage medium, whereinthe recorded image and wavelength characteristic of the recorded imageare recorded and updated from the external storage medium.
 20. Theapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a peripheral imagecapture camera capturing a state of a surrounding area when the objectto be captured is taken.